Residents of Batheaston are mounting a strong opposition to a new housing development approved by the council, which involves demolishing the 1960s Roman Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd to make way for four modern houses. Despite receiving over 120 objections and warnings from the council’s conservation department, permission was granted by a single planning officer, sparking outrage among the community.
The planned scheme threatens to alter the distinctive roofline and historic views of the Batheaston Conservation Area, nestled within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Many locals argue that national housing targets are being prioritized over preserving local heritage and meeting genuine community needs.
Caroline Spicer, a resident, expressed frustration that the approved development features three large four-bedroom homes and one smaller house—properties few in the village can afford. She emphasized that residents would have supported smaller, affordable housing or a community-focused facility that aligns with the conservation area’s character.
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The council’s own conservation department described the site as “a historically important collection of houses” surrounded by listed buildings and advised against the scheme. Yet their recommendations were overlooked, prompting Nick Cooper, another local, to question the value of having a conservation officer if their advice is ignored.
Michael Birkett-Jones highlighted the village’s rich historical landscape, shaped over centuries along the Avon Valley, including ancient routes used by monks traveling between St Catherine’s Monastery and Bath Abbey. He underlined the community’s openness to new housing—provided it respects and complements Batheaston’s unique heritage.
The Church of the Good Shepherd, designed in 1967, is a rare example of brutalist architecture in the Bath area, noted for its distinctive colored interior features. Supporters argue that the building itself holds cultural and architectural significance and should be preserved.
As tensions rise, Batheaston residents are gearing up to challenge the council’s decision, determined to protect their village’s history and identity from development they believe is out of character and insensitive to local heritage.